Archbishop Paul Coakley Elected President of U.S. Bishops Conference

Archbishop Paul Coakley, known for his conservative stance within the church, was elected as the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday.

Coakley, who previously held the position of secretary for the conference, won the presidency after three rounds of voting against Vice President Bishop Daniel Flores from Brownsville, Texas, as reported by the Associated Press.

Throughout his career, Coakley has emphasized the importance of abortion within Catholic political dialogue, labeling it a “top priority” for voters. He has commended Oklahoma lawmakers for their commitment to pro-life policies, arguing that fostering a true culture of life involves not just legal protections for the unborn, but also a significant cultural shift, according to Catholic News Service.

While he was bishop in Salina, Kansas, Coakley criticized then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Senator Joe Biden for what he termed “false reporting” regarding Catholic teachings on abortion, following a discussion on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

He has also expressed concern about the rise of gender ideology in the U.S., along with critiques of proposed mass deportation policies.

In February, Coakley voiced his belief that recent actions from the White House have intensified fears among immigrants and refugees. While he acknowledged the need for stronger border controls and criticized illegal immigration, he also emphasized that most undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma are valuable community members, not violent offenders.

Born in Virginia, Coakley was appointed the fourth archbishop of Oklahoma City by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, later becoming Metropolitan Archbishop. He mentioned during an address to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that he feels humbled by his election and shared that his episcopal motto is: Altum’s Duck—“Please take it all the way out.”

After his election, Coakley tweeted his gratitude, noting: “Once again, the Lord is inviting me to step outside…” He asked for prayers as he takes on this new role while remaining connected to Pope Leo XIV.

Coakley was selected from a conservative field of candidates that included notable figures like Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester and Bishop Kevin Rose of Fort Wayne-South Bend.